ADRIAN, Mich. - At the Arrington Ice Arena, the (RV) Adrian women's hockey team moved one step closer to advancing in the Slaats Cup Playoffs with a convincing 5-0 victory over Finlandia.
The top-seeded Bulldogs (19-6-1) take a one-game series lead over the Lions, and can clinch spot in the final four with a win tomorrow afternoon.
Adrian's offense was lethal on Friday evening, firing 47 shots to the visitors' eight, highlighted by a pair of goals from
Une Bjelland.
Fifth-year senior
Abbie Grias broke the ice midway through the first period, wristing a shot past the low-blocker side of the Lions' netminder. Then, five minutes later, Bjelland tallied a highlight-reel goal after collecting the puck at center ice and dangling past the Finlandia defense before popping a shot into the top corner.
The black and gold tripled their advantage shortly after when
Callie Wollschlager attacked the net from the strong side and managed to stuff the puck under the goaltender and across the goal line.
Following a scoreless second period, it was Bjelland tacking on her second of the night early in the third frame, banking in a shot from behind the goal off a Lions' defender.
Jessica VonRuden rounded out the scoring for the locals in the final moments, snipping a beauty of the shot over the catching-glove of Finlandia's Kayla Savoie-Penton to bring the 'Dogs total to a handful.
Also picking up points for Adrian was
Julia Barrett, whose three assists ties Wollschlager for the most in a single-game this season.
Sophie Goldberg continued her impressive run between the pipes for the black and gold, stopping all eight Finlandia shots for her fourth shutout in her last five appearances.
Game two between the 'Dogs and the Lions is set for Saturday afternoon at 3 p.m. Should Finlandia win, a mini-game would immediately follow to determine a series-winner.
